i n d o o r s
L I F E A T H O M E
EASY DOES IT
Slipcovered sofas and
chairs offer worry-free
maintenance and plop-
down comfort in the living
room. Old pine and
barnwood remind of a
quieter and simpler era.
NICELY SPICED
A vivid red hood and a tile
mural enliven the creamy
white country kitchen.
Original pendant lights
hover over the work area
(and the dining table) and
can be raised and lowered.
40 JULY2009 BETTER HOMES AND
JD GAR
ulie Couture and her
husband, Vito, day-
dreamed about putting
some— but not too
much-distance
between their family
and the hustle and
bustle of Montreal. While driving
around one weekend, they spotted a
quirky cottage that had suddenly
come up for sale, including its plain
but mostly serviceable furniture, in
the rugged hills south of the city.
Though not an experienced
remodeler or decorator, Julie tapped
her training as a sculptor to see the
process that would take her from the
home’s existing foibles to the fun and
relaxed rooms her family would
enjoy. A kitchen renovation, w ith an
adjacent mudroom addition, cured
most of the home’s layout dysfunc-
tion. By tapping into unused loft
space, Julie was able to vault the
ceiling for an open, airy ambience. A
small kitchen closet became a
much-needed main-floor powder
room. Julie also sacrificed a sliver of
the master bedroom to enlarge and
streamline a second-floor bathroom
shared by kids and guests.
Once those tweaks were done,
Vito and Julie carried on w ith fresh
coats of white paint inside and out.
Vito refinished several of the old
Quebec pine pieces, while Julie
slipcovered inherited sofas and
chairs. (Not everything left behind
made the cut: There were enough
dried flower arrangements in the
cottage to fill a full-size pickup
truck— twice.) Julie says her home
fills up like a bed and breakfast on
weekends w ith family and friends
who want to slow down for a while.
“This place is all about relaxing and
hanging out in the hammock.”
